when we got the stimulus checks last year, it was my understanding that it was a credit against this years refund. Like a loan in advance. I heard that several times, acutally, before they were even sent. It seems to be true to, as I watched my amount owed to the IRS being calculated on Turbotax. the amount went up when I entered how much I got on my stimulus check. Which really sucks, because I never got my stimulus check...it went to owed taxes!